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Although it seems obvious, an experienced renovator represents real money in the bank for you in a number of ways. Certainly there are some part-timers who have some skills, but there is a reason they are cheaper. They simply don't have to measure their success by living off their work every day and they are most likely not to be around if there are problems with their original work.
But even with full time contractors, it's not just the length of time a renovator has been working it's also the type and range of experiences that are important. While no two jobs are the same if the contractor does not have a wide range of experience that covers the area of expertise your particular project requires, then costly mistakes are easily made.
Check your contractor thoroughly and ask lots of questions. Ask for references and take a look at previous work are all good first steps to making your choice of contractor.
But beyond this, your renovator should have a history of constant training, good business, time management and communication skills, quality workmanship, competent assistants, the skill and ability to provide performance guarantees, solid buying power and a reputation for doing that little bit extra to get the job done within the budget and the timeframe allotted.
Experience isn't just important - it's essential.
How can you tell if you are getting a good price for a job? Yes, everybody says they give you the best price - but what does that really mean?
How is it that some renovation projects get priced so differently?
One reason is that some contractors don't have the buying power of others because they have not been (or intend to be) in the business very long. Another is that price is always linked to the final quality of the job. Not only can the best master craftsman only do so much with cheap or inferior materials, he will take longer doing it and it will need repairing sooner.
That's not to say that every project must use the most expensive materials available, but it might explain why some contractors charge you a higher price for their time when using inferior materials.
The solution? You cannot compare competing price proposals for your next renovation job without also considering quality standards. Discuss with your contractor what your expectations are in terms of project quality.
Only then will you get the best price and the best value.
Everyone tells you they give good quality, but what does that mean? Quality is not just in the eye of the beholder. If you are careful to look for the tell-tale signs of true quality you can see it for yourself.
Of course quality can be linked to price, no one can make a castle from a pile of rubble, but at the same time there is a basic quality standard to every job regardless of the cost and materials used.
Always look at the details - that's where you will find true quality and pride of workmanship. The smaller details and finishing are always the first to go in a low quality or rushed job.
For example is the job slightly incomplete? Are surfaces smooth, clean and even? Are joints or edges aligned properly? Are the corners neat and true? Is there an unexplained variance from one part of the project to another?
You can only appreciate good quality if you can see good quality.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS